There are many ways to prevent dry skin besides being smart about sun protection, like applying sunscreen, wearing clothing that blocks the sun’s harmful UV rays or donning a floppy hat. Below are some helpful hints. That way you can stop blaming ol’ Sol, or your parents, for your dry skin woes. If you have dry skin and are looking for the best treatment options or if you want to keep your skin healthy as you age visit a top dermatologist in NJ today. A New Jersey dermatologist can help treat existing skin conditions and will work with you to prevent outbreaks in the future and keep your skin looking young for a long time.
How to prevent dry skin
Diet. There are the usual culprits for causing dry skin, but what you eat might surprise you. Actually your diet plays an important role in strengthening your skin’s ability to maintain moisture. If you eat at least three to five servings a week of foods that are rich in the essential fatty acids found in walnuts, flaxseed, salmon, and olive oil, it will help your skin cells to stay hydrated.
Bathing. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize… especially after hopping in the shower. It is better for your skin to opt for short showers over baths. Taking a long bath or a very long shower in hot water, will strip your skin of its natural oils and exacerbate skin dryness. Make the water lukewarm and keep the shower under five minutes. That is plenty of time to get clean without over-drying the skin. Avoid scrubbing your skin to get it squeaky clean because friction will strip the skin and enhance the dryness. Always use a mild, non-soap skin cleanser, antibacterial soaps remove the oils from the skin’s surface and dry it out.
Moisture in the home – using a humidifier
Once the furnace is blasting away on a cold Winter day, the dry heat will suck the moisture from your skin. Run a portable or plug-in humidifier, or add a humidifier to your central heating system, to keep the air moist in the Winter and in dry weather. The moist air will also keep colds at bay. The best setting to keep your air moist is a constant 45% to 55% humidity and a temperature of 68 degrees.
Moisturizing products
To prevent future moisture loss and keep skin rejuvenated; frequently apply a heavier moisturizing product. Some emollients or ointment/moisturizers may be applied several times a day. Moisturizers are important to thwart dry skin because they reconstitute the cutaneous hydro-lipidic film that is responsible for holding water in the skin. The types of cream moisturizers that disappear after being rubbed into the skin are most popular because they preserve natural skin lipids and limit dehydration trapping and sealing water in the stratum corneum. Always use a non-alcohol-based moisturizer for optimal effects.
Clothes that rub you
That fuzzy sweater may look super on the hanger at the store, but it might get itchy and fitful every time you wear it. Avoid “itchy” clothing because it might make you itch more and cause redness and subsequent skin irritation. But fuzzy or scratchy duds may not always be the problem. Fabrics that irritate you may be caused from the fabric softener, or, even the detergent you are washing it in. Lots of everyday fabrics and products can irritate skin, from dryer sheets to perfume. So, whenever possible, opt for products containing the word “free” meaning they are sans fragrance and dye, or otherwise formulated for sensitive skin.
To protect sensitive skin from becoming dry and irritated, wear clothes made of soft, natural fabrics like cotton and silk, rather than wool or polyester. Be kind to your skin even with sleepwear and linens, using cotton percale sheets for a soft touch while you sleep.
Never go outside in wintry weather without protecting your face, neck and hands or any exposed flesh, from cold air.
The aging process
You can take precautions galore, but aging and hormone levels eventually take their toll on your skin through the years as skin becomes thin and parched. See a dermatologist in New Jersey to thwart any further dry skin woes. Do it while your skin is young and healthy and still enjoys the elasticity of youth, then put yourself on a daily moisturizing treatment immediately. If wrinkles and lines persist, you might want to embark on a regimen of alpha-hydroxy acids and retinol.
